Dispenser and valve construction



y 1968 s. w. BERES ETAL 3,393,344

DISPENSER AND VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 2, 1966 ENTOR-S Steven Be r: s

WiLLLom E. ODonnell AGENT United States Patent 3,393,844 DISPENSER AND VALVE CONSTRUCTION Seven W. Beres, Trumbull, and William R. ODonnell, Fairfield, Conn., assignors to Valve Corporation of America, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 524,645 8 Claims. (Cl. 222533) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dispensing valve construction comprising a housing having inlet and discharge passages and having a bore between and communicating with said passages. A tubular resilient plastic valve member is turnably carried in the housing bore, said valve member having a wall portion which is inwardly displaced to present a dimple in the exterior of the member at the location of the inlet and outlet passages. When the dimple communicates with the passages it permits flow of fluid, and when it is out of communication the valve member prevents flow. A handle on the valve member enables a user to actuate the member for dispensing.

This invention relates to small hand-held dispensing devices, and more particularly to the discharge means and manually operable valve constructions of such devices.

Objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved dispensing valve construction for a hand-held or similarly small dispenser, which construction is especially leak-proof and effective in controlling the flow of product, while at the same time involving few and simple parts which may be easily and quickly fabricated of plastic materials, at low cost; to provide an improved valve con struction which may be locked in the closed condition to prevent inadvertent operation or opening; to provide an improved dispensing means having a laterally projecting nozzle at the top of the container adjoining the side thereof, so arranged as to enable retraction of the nozzle to be effected for making the dispenser more compact and/or to lock the valve handle; to provide improved and simple sealing means associated with the manually operable valve; and to provide a discharge and dispensing valve assemblage in accordance with the foregoing, which is small, compact, effective and reliable in its operation, and easy and convenient to use.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a dispensing valve construction mounted on a container wall and constituting one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the valve construction of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the valve member per se, of the construction.

FIG. 4 is an edge elevational view of the valve member of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of a dispensing valve construction constituting another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the valve construction of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view partly in axial section and partly in side elevation, of a valve construction constituting still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the valve construction of FIG. 7.

Considering first FIGS. 1-4, the valve construction is illustrated as being mounted on the top wall 10 of a container such as a plastic squeeze bottle or the like, said construction comprising a hollow valve body 12 having internal threads 14 which are engaged by an externally threaded, shouldered clamping screw 16 which is tightened Patented July 23, 1968 against the underside or inside of the wall 10 to affix the body 12 thereto.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided in the valve body 12 a novel manually operable valve construction and means providing a discharge passage by which an effective discharge and control of the flow of substance which is to be dispensed is had. This is accomplished with relatively few parts of exceptionally simple construction and which may be economically fabricated of plastic substance as well as assembled into the required cooperable relationships.

The valve body 12 has a hollow depending boss 18 in which there is press-fitted a dip tube 20 formed of resilient plastic substance such as polyethylene or the like. The valve body 12 and the clamping screw 16 are also formed of suitable plastic substance which is preferably stiffer or more rigid than the substance of the dip tube 20. Within the upper portion of the dip tube 20 there is a short reinforcement tube 22, also of relatively rigid plastic substance, which tends to securely retain the dip tube 20 in its press-fitted position against dislodgement from the bore of the boss 18.

Disposed above the uppermost portion of the dip tube 28 and in the bore 19 of the boss 18 is a resilient sealing and spacer collar 24 which is preferably formed of rubber or rubber-like composition.

The bore 19 at its upper extremity meets and communicates with a horizontal bore or discharge passage 26 provided in the valve body 12, said passage accommodating a press-fitted elongate nozzle 28.

The valve body 12 has a horizontally extending top portion 30 adjoining and connected to a collar portion 32 in which latter the nozzle 28 is carried.

In the top portion 30 there is a horizontal bore 34 disposed at right angles to the nozzle 28 and also at right angles to the dip tube 20, the bore 34 communicating with the passages of both said members. Frictionally received in the bore 34 is a tapered, hollow rotary valve member 36 having a flat finger piece 38 connected with it by an arm 40. The valve member 36 has a bore 42 which provides increased flexibility whereby the member is rendered much more effective for valving action. Not only does the bore 42 enable a better, tighter sealing fit to be had between the valve member 36 and the bore 34 of the valve housing, but also there is had a softer action with a minimum of sticking and resistance to turning of the valve member. It will be appreciated that with the valve member 36 molded of plastic substance, the provision of the bore 42 which makes the member hollow, enables the relatively thin walls of the member to readily yield and conform to the walls of the bore 34, eliminating misfits, cracks, and the like which are conducive to leakage.

Intermediate its ends, the valve member 36 is provided with a depression or dimple 44 which, as seen in FIG. 4,

may be considered to extend roughly at an angle of 45 with respect to the plane of the finger piece 38. The dimple 44 provides for the passage of liquid substance from the dip tube 20 to, and out of, the nozzle 28 when the valve member 36 is turned to the discharging position. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve member 36 is in the nondischarging or closed position wherein the dimple 44 communicates only with the passage of the nozzle 28 and not with the passage of the dip tube 20. For such position, the finger piece 38 is substantially horizontal. The bottom wall of the valve member 36 bears against the sealing sleeve 24 in the valve body 12 and effectively closes the passage through the valve body.

To effect a discharge, the finger piece 38 is swung upward and to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 (or counterclockwise) through an angle of substantially This will effect a rotation of the dimple 44 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, through a corresponding angle of substantially 90, whereby it will now communicate with both the passage of the nozzle 28 and the passage of the dip tube 20. In consequence, a discharge flow is permitted upward through the dip tube 20 and outward through the nozzle 28.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the small extremity of the valve member 36 is closed and provided with a solid extension or shaft 48 which passes through a suitable opening in one end of the top portion 30 of the valve body. A spring retainer washer 50 is pressed onto the shaft 48, thereby to hold the valve member 36 in place, in frictional contact with the bore 34 of the top portion and in good sealing relation therewith.

As already mentioned above, by virtue of the plastic construction of the valve member 36 and the provision of the bore 42 therein, a soft and easy turning action of the valve member is had due to the ready yieldability thereof, while at the same time an effective seal is established, preventing leakage, drip, etc. The provision of the rubber sleeve 24 establishes a sealing connection between the top end of the dip tube 20 and the bottom rounded surface of the valve member 36 at all times, enhancing the sealing characteristic of the valve construction.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. and 6. In this embodiment, a more compact handle piece is provided for the valve member, and also the said member is rotatable through an arc of substantially 180 as compared with the 90 turning of the valve member of FIGS. 1-4.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the valve body is indicated at 52, said body extending through a top opening in a container wall 54 and being spin-welded at 56 against the underside of the wall 54. A sealing gasket 58 prevents leakage at the mounting.

The valve body 52 has a vertical bore 60, in which there is disposed a dip tube 62, and has a horizontal bore 64 in which there is press-fitted a nozzle 66 provided with a removable end plug 68.

The bores 60 and 64 communicate with each other and also with a second horizontal bore 70 in the valve body 52, the latter bore being tapered and accommodating a tapered, hollow valve member 72 having a tapered bore 73 and a dimple 74 as may be seen in FIG. 6. The valve member 72 has a finger piece 76 connected to it by an arm 78.

After insertion of the valve member 72 in the bore 70, the protruding end of the valve member 80 is mushroomed as shown in FIG. 6 to retain it in the valve housing 52.

Operation of the valve'construction of FIGS. 5 and 6 is substantially the same as that already described in connection with FIGS. 1-4, with the exception that the valve member 72 is turnable through an arc of substantially 180, as compared with the 90 turning of the valve member 36 in the first described embodiment.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein the valve member has a 45 arcuate movement, but may be locked in its non-discharging or closing position and also wherein the discharge spout is swingable to a retracted position so that it does not project beyond the edge of the container. As shown, the valve housing 82 is mounted on the top wall 84 of the container, adjacent the side wall 86 thereof. The housing 82 has a vertical bore 88 at the upper end of which there is frictionally carried an L-shaped discharge spout 90. The spout 90 may be swung from the retracted position shown in full lines in FIGS. 7 and 8, to an extended, operative position as indicated by the broken outlines in these figures.

The valve housing 82 has a horizontal bore 92 of tapered configuration, which communicates with and crosses the vertical bore 88. Disposed in the bore 92 is a tapered valve member 94 which is operated by a handle 96 connected to it through an arm 98. The valve mem- 4 her 94 has a bore 100 and a dimple 102, and at its smaller end there is press-fitted a plug 104 by which the valve member is retained in the valve housing 82.

With the parts in the positions illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the nozzle 90 overlies the handle 96 with the valve member 94 in the non-discharging or closed position. Due to the obstruction represented by the nozzle 90, the handle 96 may not be inadvertently shifted to the discharging position, and accordingly there is provided a safety factor. Also, with the nozzle 90 in the retracted position illustrated, it does not project beyond the side wall 86 of the container, thereby providing a more compact assemblage.

When it is desired to effect a discharge of the contents of the container, the nozzle 90 is first swung through to the broken line positions indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and thereafter the valve finger piece 96 is swung counterclockwise through 45 as viewed in FIG. 7, bringing the dimple 102 in communication with the upper and lower portions of the vertical bore 88 and permitting a discharge of the liquid contents through the nozzle 90. The discharge is halted by returning the handle 96 to the full line positions of FIGS. 7 and 8, and to prevent inadvertent discharge as well as to provide clearance at the side of the container, the nozzle 90 may be swung so as to overlie the handle, as illustrated.

In FIG. 7 the handle 96 is shown as being blocked in its closed position by the nozzle 90. The handle 96 can occupy a horizontal closed position as indicated by the broken outline.

Under certain conditions, the valve housing 82 may be rotatably adjusted with respect to the top wall 84, by applying a turning force. Such rotatable adjustment is also possible of the valve body 52 shown in FIG. 5; this would have utility where the valve body 52 is adjacent one side wall 55 of the container, since in manufacture the valve body 52 may be positioned so as to extend the spout 66 over the top wall 54, in a non-protruding position. The user is instructed to grasp the spout 66 and turn the cap body 52 180 to the position shown in FIG. 5. A more compact package is had, during storage and shipment, by this arrangement.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that we have provided a novel and improved dispensing valve construction wherein relatively few parts are involved, the said parts being economically readily fabricated of plastic substance and being easily and quickly assembled. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the valve construction is held to a minimum. By virtue of the hollow plastic construction of the valve member and the sealing engagement of the same with adjoining wall areas and components, an effective leakproof seal is had while at the same time operation of the valve may be easily effected, with relatively little resistance. The operation is effective and reliable due to the relatively few parts and due to the improved sealing construction.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

We claim:

1. A dispensing valve construction comprising, in combination:

(a) a molded plastic valve housing comprising a body having inlet and discharge passages therethrough and having a tapered bore disposed bet-ween and communicating with said passages, said bore constituting a combined bearing and valve seat,

(b) an elongate tubular, tapered-bore rotary, resilient plastic valve member disposed and turnable in said housing bore and having a bearing therein,

(c) said valve member being also tapered on the outside and having relatively thin, yieldable walls engaged with the walls of the bore under continuous pressure as determined by the resilience of the member,

(d) the yieldable walls of the valve member in large part closely conforming to the configuration of said bore,

(c) said yieldable walls having an inwardly displaced portion providing a hollow which is at the exterior and adjacent said inlet and discharge passages and adapted to communicate therewith for a given rotary position of the valve member, thereby to allow flow of product from one passage to the other,

(f) said hollow communicating with but one of said passages for another position of the valve member whereby flow of product between the passages is prevented,

(g) said valve member having a resilient integral transverse closure Wall disposed at its smaller end adjacent the end of the bore of the valve housing,

(h) the tapered bore of the valve member enlarging -from the small end of the member without appreciable obstruction to the large end thereof whereby a core pin can readily leave said bore after molding of the member,

(i) said valve member having an axial extension projecting beyond its integral closure wall and also projecting from the valve housing,

(j)means including an abutment on said axial extension of the valve member, engaging the valve housing and holding the member against axial movement in a direction out of the housing bore, thereto to maintain the small end and the integral closure wall portion of the valve member engaged with the small portion of the housing bore under continual pressure, and to maintain a predetermined maximum working pressure on said bore by the remainder of the tapered wall of the valve member,

(k) said axial extension being connected directly to the center of said transverse closure wall and exerting a continuous pull directly thereon.

2. A dispensing valve construction as in claim 1,

wherein:

(a) said valve housing includes a discharge spout projecting from it, and

(b) means on said housing, for turnably mounting the same on a container for adjustable rotary positioning thereon.

3. A dispensing valve construction as in claim 1,

wherein:

(a) means including a manually operable locking arm are provided on the valve housing, for locking the valve member in the flow-preventing position.

4. A dispensing valve construction as in claim 1,

wherein:

(a) a broad fiat finger-tab is provided, for operating the valve member,

(b) one end of said valve member having a laterally extending arm connected to an edge portion of the finger tab,

(0) said finger tab being substantially coextensive with and spaced from the valve member.

5. A dispensing valve construction as in claim 1,

wherein:

(a) a resilient tubular sealing member is provided, disposed in one of said passages and at one end sealingly engaging the valve member to minimize leakage -of product past said member.

6. A dispensing valve construction comprising, in combination:

(a) a valve housing comprising a body having inlet and discharge passages therethrough and having a bore disposed between and communicating with said passages, said bore constituting a combined bearing and valve seat,

(b) an elongate tubular, rotary, resilient plastic valve member disposed and turnable in said bore and having a bearing therein,

(0) said valve member having relatively thin, yieldable walls engaged with the walls of the bore under continuous pressure as determined by the resilience of the member,

(d) the yieldable walls of the valve member in large part closely conforming to the configuration of said bore,

(c) said yieldable walls having a dimple at the exterior and located adjacent said inlet and discharge passages and adapted to communicate therewith for a given rotary position of the valve member, thereby to allow flow of product from one passage to the other,

(f) said dimple communicating with but one of said passages for another position of the valve member whereby flow of product between the passages is prevented,

(g) means including a manually operable locking arm on the valve housing, for locking the valve member in the flow-preventing position,

(h) said locking arm comprising a spout communicating with said discharge passage.

7. A dispensing valve construction as in claim 6,

wherein:

(a) said spout is swingable about a vertical axis, through to direct it outward past a side edge of a container on which the valve housing is carried, or inward away from said side edge.

8. A dispensing valve construction comprising, in combination:

(a) a valve housing comprising a body having inlet and discharge passages therethrough and having a bore disposed between and communicating with said passages, said bore constituting a combined bearing and valve seat,

(b) an elongate tubular, rotary, resilient plastic valve member disposed and turnable in said bore and having a bearing therein,

(0) said valve member having relatively thin, yieldable walls engaged with the walls of the bore under continuous pressure as determined by the resilience of the member,

(d) the yieldable walls of the valve member in large part closely conforming to the configuration of said bore,

(e) said yieldable walls having a dimple at the exterior and located adjacent said inlet and discharge passages and adapted to communicate therewith for a given rotary position of the valve member, thereby to allow flow of product from one passage to the other,

(f) said dimple communicating with but one of said passages for another position of the valve member whereby flow of product between the passages is prevented,

(g) a resilient tubular sealing member disposed in one of said passages and at one end sealingly engaging the valve member to minimize leakage of product past said member,

(h) said sealing member being disposed in the inlet passage of the valve housing,

(i) a dip tube press-fitted in said inlet passage and engaging the sealing member to maintain the latter in operative position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,017,133 10/1935 Rice 222-537 X 3,012,752 12/1961 Buck 251-309 3,186,680 6/1965 Pool 251309 X 3,198,405 8/1965 Pfeil 222554 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,149,213 5/1963 Germany.

ROBERT E. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

F. R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner. 

